CFL.ca Staff
EDMONTON — After trading the second-overall selection to the BC Lions, the Edmonton Eskimos have picked offensive lineman, Austin Pasztor with the fourth overall selection.
Pasztor, a native of Langton, ON. returns to Canada following a strong collegiate career at the University of Virginia.
The Eskimos might have to wait for Pasztor to join the team, as he recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
In 2012, Pasztor earned first team Atlantic Coast Conference honours and was also named a second team All American. He did not allow a sack in 781 plays.
“Austin is very athletic and has lots of experience playing at a high level. We project him to play at offensive tackle,” said Esks GM Eric Tillman.
With their second pick in the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft, the Eskimos selected Wilfrid Laurier receiver Shamawd Chambers with the sixth overall selection.
Chambers has been the subject of immense praise throughout his collegiate career. Last season, the rangy receiver registered 562 yards and five touchdowns in seven games, averaging 80.3 yards-per-game.
The six-foot-three, 210-pound Markham, Ont. native has been named an OUA second team All-Star in consecutive years, and will aim to continue his success at the professional level.
The 23-year old registered the top 40-yard dash time, running a spectacular time of 4.42. He also finished in the top five in the broad jump event, as well as the shuttle.Following E-Camp, the CFL Scouting Bureau placed Chambers at no.3, up one spot from the previous rankings.
It’s clear that his performance at E-Camp impressed the Eskimos brass.
“Shamawd Chambers is a young man with size, speed, and significant upside,” said Edmonton General Manager Eric Tillman.
With their third pick in the Draft, the Esks selected DL Justin Capicciotti.
Last year, the Simon Fraser product, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year, after finishing third in the GNAC conference with 10 sacks and was among the top-10 in total tackles with 66.
Capicciotti is the first Simon Fraser player taken by the Eskimos since James Gardner in 1991 and Sean Millington in 1990.
“He is skilled technically and he will provide us with great depth on the defensive line; we expect him to have an impact on special teams,” said head coach Kavis Reed
The Eskimos capped off their draft by selecting defensive lineman Hasan Hazime 36th overall and Ryan King 38th overall.
Hazime has played his college football for the Akron Zips, playing in every game in his junior year. The Pickering, Ontario native is 6.05, 260lbs and was born on December 23, 1987.
Ryan King played his college football at Saint Mary’s University (2008-10) where he was a CIS All-Conference. He was born in Edmonton and played for the Edmonton Wildcats (2004-2007) and was a 2007 Defensive Player All-Canadian. King is 5.11, 222lbs and was born on February 19, 1986.
